But following a spirited performance against Essendon last Saturday at the Gabba, you would expect that Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch and his Match Committee won’t be ringing in too many changes.
If the Lions are looking for a like-for-like replacement for Maguire, then Jordan Lisle is probably near the top of list given he’s played a majority of his 2014 season in a key defensive role.
However, with Joel Patfull, Justin Clarke, and Darcy Gardiner all in good form against the Bombers, then Leppitsch might be content with his crop of talls down back.
Plus, Daniel Merrett can always be moved back if needed should the likes of Drew Petrie, Majak Daw and Aaron Black start clunking marks up forward.
But it’s the Kangaroos’ ‘mosquito fleet’ that poses arguably the biggest problem for the Lions, with Lindsay Thomas and Brent Harvey the opposition’s leading goal-scorers so far this season.
Containing Thomas and Harvey is no easy feat, so the smaller Lions defenders will certainly have their hands full.
This could potentially open the door for Ryan Harwood or Mitch Golby to return, given both generally play roles across half-back.
Other senior bodies vying for selection include Brent Moloney, Rohan Bewick, and James Polkinghorne, while Claye Beams made a promising return in the NEAFL last week and could come into calculations.
The Lions’ Round 9 team will be announced at 6:25pm this evening on lions.com.au
